Marc Cucurella, Spain's left-back at the World Cup, completed a transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid for £52 million. The 27-year-old finalized the deal in approximately 36 hours while stationed at Spain's training base in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Cucurella revealed: 'I got a phone call one morning. My people told me the two clubs had the terms mostly agreed and that I had to decide if I wanted to go there. I had no doubts.' He emphasized the speed allowed him to maintain focus on the World Cup: 'It all happened in roughly a day and a half. For me, that was the best thing, so it could be all done and I could keep my focus on the World Cup.'
The left-back spent four years at Chelsea after joining from Brighton but chose to join Real Madrid despite being born and raised in Catalonia, where he joined Barcelona's academy aged 14. His wife Claudia's family are Madrid supporters. Cucurella stated: 'If you had asked me a few months ago, I would probably have told you I didn't expect to leave Chelsea. I was very happy there, my family too. But the challenge now is bigger.'
Real Madrid's defensive options are strengthened mid-tournament, while Chelsea's squad depth at left-back is reduced. Markets assessing both clubs' remaining season prospects may shift accordingly.